May 2012 Archives

There's nothing like a good shot of adrenaline. The adrenaline I'm talking about came from attending the press conference for  ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" event, taking place this Friday, May 18^th at The Times Union Center. But hey if you saw what I saw, you'd feel the same way.

The event marks the second time in the past three months that Star Boxing CEO Joe Deguardia has put on a boxing show at The Times Union Center. And like last time, he's giving the fans more than just a good old fashioned slugfest. Last February's event featured the filming of "The Challenger," giving fans the option to be extras in a motion picture. This time, he's bringing reality to the audience. The filming in Albany on Friday will be the pilot episode of a reality show that showcases the best promoters in the country. Deguardia's program is once again allowing fans to be part of more than just a night of hooks and jabs.

The buildup to the event has been nothing short of stellar. SMG Northeast Regional Director of Live Entertainment Bob Belber kicked things off by giving everyone some background information before stepping off the stand for Joe Deguardia. Although Deguardia did a marvelous job hyping up his event, it was the young, hungry, and charismatic boxers around him that electrified the crowd with excitement.

The card boasts a main event that features the Jr. Welterweight Champion Karim Mayfield defending his title against Raymond Serrano. Adding to the allure of an already much talked about title fight is the fact that both fighters are undefeated, meaning that in addition to the title, personal pride is at stake too. When it came time for them to address one another, everyone was entertained. The champion, Karim Mayfield took the stand thanking his team and the crowd for coming out when he suddenly began rapping, verbally painting a vivid picture of how he was going to punish his opponent. Serrano then took the stand, downplayed the sideshow antics of Mayfield, revealing that he's not one to talk much whether in person or on Facebook, and would show him what he means when they get in the ring. It looked like a scene out of a movie. The drama, excitement, and suspense spoke volumes.

The undercard consisted of young talent looking to build a name for themselves. They looked nervous but showed poise. They felt larger than life, almost like celebrities. One of the boxers, Vincent Miranda, is currently a resident of Albany. Miranda, a native of Puerto Rico, has spent the last two years living in Albany, competing in the local circuit. Miranda promised the crowd at the Times Union Center that he would put Albany on the map, resulting in a thunderous show of applause for the young man.

Another very promising fight on the card features Jason Escalera, an undefeated young man, with an accent identical to the infamous Tony Montana, aka "Scarface," taking on Nick "Machine Gun" Brinson. Both fighters spoke of their desire to give the fans the best show possible, showing humility and respect for one another, proving that boxers can and do indeed have a professional side too.

The press conference ended with each boxer and their opponent in a traditional stare-down, surrounded by flashing cameras. This is where things almost got out of hand. The opposing entourages began exchanging insults, almost resulting in a scuffle. You could see the adrenaline on the face of all of the youngsters, in fact Mayfield and Serrano looked like they were going to war. You could see beads of sweat drip down the faces of the main eventers, their hands were balled up in fists, and the tension was so intense that it could be cut with a butter knife.

It resembled stuff straight out of Hollywood but this was unfiltered, explosive, and REAL. It was that rare moment where you have no control over what could happen, perfectly setting the tone for Friday night's event.

I went to the press conference on an assignment, unfazed by the sport but when I left, I was completely sucked in and couldn't wait to see the competitors give it all they got.

Friday Night Fights takes place on Friday May 18^th, 2012 at 9:00 PM live from the Times Union Center, located at 51 South Pearl Street. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster, participating Walmart locations, and the Times Union Center box office; over the phone by calling 518.487.2000, and online by visiting www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.

-EH

Coming up with ideas for Mother's Day isn't the easiest thing in the world. Sure you can get her a card with some jewelry, flowers, dinner and all the works which is lovely - but then hasn't that been done?

You want to do something different for your mom? Or even better WITH your Mom? Take her to 17 Chapel, the site of this year's Vanguard Designer Showhouse. And as a special Mother's Day offer Vanguard is offering reduced admission.

No bones about it, Mom will appreciate a tour of the Designer Showhouse, probably more so than cliche gifts recycled over and over again year after year. With that said, here are the top 10 reasons why bringing Mom to see the Vanguard Showhouse would be a smart thing to do.

10. It shows creativity. Moms love creative things.

9. It's thoughtful. Really, where else can Moms go and mingle with other Moms about decoration?

8. It's inexpensive. Bring Mom and Vanguard will knock $3 for you and $5 for Mom off the $18 admission fee.

7. Free tips on interior design. You probably need it more than Mom does.

6. The novelty. Moms don't forget events like a tour of three majestic condos at the Vanguard Showhouse. Take her and she will remember it forever.

5. You get to meet professional local designers. These are people who volunteered their time and services for three months to put together the stunning condos. Show them appreciation, and get their contact information; you never know you might just need a good designer one day.

4. Buy her a painting, or lamp, or that end table she has glued to her eyes. How often will you get a chance to see Mom admire something so much right in front of you? She's worth it, buy it for her.

3. You may just fall in love with 17 Chapel so much you'll end up moving there, thus fulfilling the void in your life you have been looking to fill all this time.

2. It's for a good cause. Vanguard is the biggest fundraiser of Albany-Symphony Orchestra. Everything Vanguard does supports the Symphony.

1. It's in Downtown Albany. Just a few footsteps away, you can take Mom out to dinner, a live performance, even a tour aboard the Hudson with the Aqua Ducks.

There you have it, the top 10 reasons to bring Mom to the Vanguard Showhouse this Sunday. Remember, bring Mom and save on admission for yourself and even more on her. Plus, she's worth it.

-EH

Downtown Albany has always been full of soulful sounds and sweet melodies so it's only right that all the local talent comes together in one night to give fans a show to remember. That's exactly what the people expect this Friday when 13 blues acts jam throughout 13 Downtown venues except there's a catch. They will be competing against each other for the chance to play at Alive @ 5. The 13 acts that are competing are as follows

• Folding Sky performing at Taste
• Sly Fox & The Hustlers performing at The Bayou Cafe
• Nite Train performing at Legend's on Pearl
• JV & The Cutters performing at Wolf's 1-11
• Kylie & The Sympathetic Strangers performing at Franklin's Tower
• Joe Lowry & The Second Mile Blues Band performing at Blue 82
• The George Boone Blues Band performing at Pearl Street Pub
• Blues Sanctuary performing at McGeary's
• Bent Rail Blues Band performing at The Olde English Pub
• Blackboard Blues performing at Jillian's
• George Fletcher's Foldin' Money performing at 74 State
• Collette & The Mudcats performing at Figure 10
• Charlie Smith Blues Trio performing at The Merry Monk

Each act is playing at their respective venue from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The top 3 acts with the most votes at the end of the night will win the ultimate prize, playing in front of thousands this summer at Alive @ 5 during Local Blues Night.

However, it's not just the musicians that are full of anticipation. The downtown Albany venues, who are each hosting an act, have their own reason to be excited.

"We've had a lot of success with events like this in the past so we were really excited about the opportunity to be a hosting venue for the Blues Music Competition because it allows us to have a different type of crowd that we hope will have fun and come back," says Jason Hayes, owner of Blue 82, "We have a great time hosting local talent and try to do it as much as we can. It helps the artists with exposure while at the same time giving us a chance to show everyone a great night out in downtown Albany."

Shane Spillenger, of The Bayou Cafe and Jillian's believes it is a unique way for the venues to collaborate, "I think it's a great opportunity for all the different bars Downtown to work together and give the people a good time because in the end, we all want downtown Albany to succeed and that's what it's all about."

The Downtown Albany Blues Music Competition is this Friday May 4^th from 5:00 - 9:00 PM. There is absolutely no cover charge at any venue nor is there any kind of price of admission, the entire event and transportation by trolley is completely free. For more information, click here. To learn more about the Downtown Albany BID, visit www.downtownalbany.org

-EH